Renault is set to reenter the Indian market with two electric vehicle (EV) models over the next two years, aiming to bolster its presence in the world’s third-largest car market. The French automaker plans to introduce the Kiger EV, a small electric SUV, by late 2026, followed by an electric version of the Triber by March 2027, according to a report from Autocar Professional.
The Kiger EV will be built on a dedicated EV platform, a departure from Renault’s traditional approach of modifying existing platforms to cut costs. “India is not an easy market—and many car makers have had to bite the dust,” Renault CEO Luca de Meo noted during his visit to the country. He added, “We need to find our secret sauce. In the past, we focused on the cheapest possible car for mobility, but the market is changing a lot, so we have to be more creative.”
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Renault plans to produce the Kiger EV starting in the second half of 2026, targeting a competitive price under 1.5 million Indian rupees ($18,000). Local sourcing of battery packs is expected to help achieve this pricing. Discussions are underway with Tata AutoComp, which imports cells from China’s Gotion and has a local joint venture for battery production.
The electric Triber’s development path remains unclear, with speculation that it could either utilize the Kiger EV’s platform or be adapted from the existing internal combustion engine (ICE) model. The ICE Kiger, meanwhile, is slated for a facelift later this year, signaling Renault’s dual approach to strengthen its ICE and EV offerings.
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Renault’s strategy reflects the shifting dynamics of the Indian market, where EV adoption is accelerating amid rising competition. With this expansion, Renault seeks to regain momentum after a five-year hiatus from launching new models in India.
